Step-by-step rolling mill



W. FELLER.

STEP-BY-STEP ROLLING MILL.

APPLICATION. FILED JULY 22, 1920.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

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STEP-BY-STEF ROLLING MILL,

APPLICATION mm mun-1,2920.

1, 21 3,715. Patented pr- 25, 1922.

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W. FELLER.

STEP-BY-STEP ROLLING MILL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY22, 1920.

I w. FELLEB STEP-BY-STEP ROLLING MILL. APPLICATION FILED .IULYZZ, 1920.

1,413,715. Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6- jffor/zeys.

W. FE LLER.

STEP--BY.-STEP ROLLING MILL.

I APPITICATION FILED JULYZZ, 1920- 1,413,715 Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7- dfifar/zeys.

Mme WM omrso stares WENZEL FELLER, 0F DINSLAKEN, GERMANY.

STEP-BY-STEP ROLLING MILL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

Application filed July 22, 1920. Serial No. 398,298.

(GRANTED IINDEB. THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1921, 41 STAT. L., 1313.)

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it 'known that I, WENznLFELLER, a subject of the German Empire, and resident of Dinslaken, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-by-Step Rolling Mills, (for which I have filed application in Germany Aug. 18. 1915, Patent No. 335,158;

' Germany Mar. 6, 1916, Patent No. 336,607; Germany March 28, 1919; Czechoslovakia January 10, 1920; France May 14, 1919; Belgium Oct. 24, 1919;.Austria June 23, 1916; Hungary June 29, 1916,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the feed mechanism of step-by-step rolling mills of the type in which the rotary or oscillatory rolls are mounted upon a fixed frame and in which, during the rolling of the billet, the work is constantly fed forwards in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rolls together with the mandrel and feed spindle by means of springs or a fluid pressure feed mechanism in order to bring the work into the required rolling position in the interval between each rolling operation. In rolling mills of this type, the rolls grip a certain quantity of the billet and roll it out'over the mandrel in front of the rolls. In addition to the actual rolling operation by means of the friction resulting between the rolls and thework, the work together with the mandrel and feed spindle may be caused to recede with the velocity imparted to the work by means of the rolls and against the counter-a'cting forces.

In rolling mills of this type it is therefore necessary to have static friction during the rolling operation between the work and the rolls whilst gliding friction exists between the material being worked and the mandrel.

If these conditions are not fulfilled, the rolls' would tear and destroy the billet and these conditions can only be fulfilled if the forces of the moving masses acting in the opposite direction to the rolls, to which is added the feed pressure of the feed mechanism, is together less than the product of the roll pressure against the work and the existing fric tion co-efiicients. y

In consequence thereof, the velocity of the rolls is'liinited since the friction between the rolls and the work cannot be increased at will.

Moreover, the efficiency of the rolling mill is dependent partly on the velocity of the rolls and partly on the heat generated in the mandrel during the rolling operation. The heat thus generated may during long rolling processes become so'great as to break down the resistance of the. mandrel so that the latter extends together with the billet and thus becomes ineffective. It is therefore desirable to attain a high roll velocity.

According to the present invention the feed mechanism is so arranged that the op-- era'tion of returning the material, mandrel and feed spindle usually effected by the rolls is independently effected for which purpose a mechanically actuated feed mechanism is employed which is preferably driven from the roll driving means and which is adapted tobring the work into the rolling position during each interval between the rolling operations and also effect the return movement of the material and other moving parts so that the rolls do not require to do any other work beyond that of rolling out the material.

The feed mechanism may be operated by link mechanism and gearing through the medium of swinging links but in order to avoid the stresses and loss ofpower arising out of such mechanlsm, motion may be transmitted to the feed mechanism from the rolls by means of a shaft preferably longitudinal to the \feed mechanism. Motion may be transmitted from the roll by means of acrank driven either directly therefromv or through the aforesaid shaft, the feed mechanism being reciprocated from said crank.

In order to avoid the loss of power resulting from the reciprocation of the feed mechanism, a fluid pressure controlling device may be interposed between the reciproeating means and the feed spindle so that the work expended in retarding and accelerating the masses during each change of dithe reciprocatlng movement of the material according to the length of material to be rolled during each operation. whilst at the same time ensurlng that the material is fed forward to the rolls to the required active position for the rolling operation from which position the work is caused to recede a predetermined adjustable distance according to the stroke of the piston whilst at the same time the compressor carries out a full stroke. Moreover, the compressor may continue to be driven from the rolls whilst the feed mechanism is held stationary in order to enable the insertion of a new billet upon the mandrel for which purpose means are provided for controlling the fluid pressure on both sides of the feed spindle according to requirements.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is hereinafter made to the accompanying drawings where- I Fig. 1. is a longitudinal section through such parts of the rolling mill as are necessary for the present invention to be understood and in which the feed machanism is reciprocated bylink mechanism and gear mg. V

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view showing the driving of the crank from the rolls.

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing a modified arrangement in which the crank is driven indirectly from the rolls through a longitudinal shaft.

Fig. 4: is a plan View partly in section of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 showing the fluid pressure controlling device interposed between the reciprocating means and the feed spindle.

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing the compressor and fluid pressure feed cylinder.

Fig. 7 is a plan view (partly in section) -of the parts shown in Fig. 6..

and 9 are detail sectlonal views of Figs. 8 4

cylinder valves in two difthe fluid pressure ferent positions.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the valve controlling mechanism.

Fig. Miss a detail sectional view of a modified form of compressor.

' Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the rolls are indicated by the numeral 1 and operate upon the work 2 in the usual'manner, the latter being mounted upon the mandrel 3, the rolls 1 may be connected by pinion gearing 4 as illustrated in Fig. 2 adapted to transmit motion to a crank shaft 5 upon which is mounted a crank 6, the parts being geared in such relationship that the number of revolutions of the crank 6 corresponds to the number ofrevolutions of the rolls 1 multiplied by the number of working faces on each of the rolls. The crank 6 is connected to a connecting rod 7, which imparts swinging motion to a rocking lever 8 fixed to turn about a point 9. The rocking lever carries an adjustable block 1L0 connected to a connecting rod 11 which in turn transmits motion to a swinging lever 12.

The block 10 is also connected to an adjusting link 13 operated from an adjusting gear 14 as indicated by the dotted lines. By this arrangement the block 10 may be adjusted on the link lever 8 so that when the block 10 is adjacent to the fixed pivot 9 no motion will be imparted to the connecting rod 11 and rocking lever 12, the motion imparted thereto operating according tozthe distance of the block 10 from the fixedpivot 9. Motion is transmitted from the rocking lever 12 through bevel wheels 130 or equivalent transmission to a longitudinal shaft 15 and from thence through bevel wheels 16 and 17-01 their equivalent to a rocking lever 18 having a link connection 19 to one end of a pivoted lever 20 having a centre pivot and connected at its other end to the feed spindle 21. This deviation is necessary in order to enable the housing 22 of the feed mechanism to reciprocate in the direction of the arrows A and B for feeding forward the work and also for enabling the feed spindle to be removed from the rolls to such an extent as to enable a fresh billet to be inserted between the rolls and the mandrel. It Will be understood that the pivoted lever 20 is connected to the feed spindle 21 in such manner as to allow axial movement of the latter whilst permitting rotation thereof.

In order to enable the gearing connected to the housing 22 to slide along the shaft 15, the latter is preferably splined or squared in section passing through a corresponding aperture in the bevel wheel 16.

In order to enable the mechanism toreciprocate the feed spindle 21 in accordance with the varying rolling process, the stroke of the spindle the distance rolled off by the rolls 1 and this distance will of course vary according to the dimensions of the rolls. The stroke of the feed spindle may be adjusted by means of the adjusting gear 14 according to the position of the block 10 on the rocking lever 8. The adjusting gear 14: also-.enables the reciprocating of the feed mechanism to be stopped whilst the rolls are still in operation in order to enable the finished tube to be removed from the mandrel and a new billet inserted in position.

rolls as illustrated in Fig. 2 for which purpose the crank shaft 5 is constructed with a quick thread 23 working through a correspondingly threaded portion in a gear wheel 24 driven from the roll pinions 4, said gear wheel 24 being adjustable along the threaded portion 23 of the crank shaft 5 by means such as that diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2, the position of the nut 24 varying the relative positions of the rolls 1 and crank 6. This arrangement also enables any inaccuracies arising between the rolls and the crank when changing the rolls to be readily corrected and similarly enables the position of the feed mechanism to be adjusted to suit the rolls.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings the housing of the feed mechanism is shown diagrammatically as having rack and pinion mechanism 25 and 26 for feeding forward the feed spindle 21 in the direction of the arrow B towards the rolls 1 in order to effect the necessary forward'feed and it will be understood that this does not afi'ect the reciprocating mechanism by reason of the sliding movement of the wheel 16 on the shaft 15.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the rolls 1 transmit motion through the pinions 4 and gear wheel 24 to a shaft-23 having a quick thread similar to that already described but in this case the shaft 23 drives a longitudinal shaft 27 through bevel wheels 28, said shaft 27 transmitting motion through bevel wheels 29 to the crank shaft 5 and crank 6, the wheel 29 mounted on the shaft 27 being sl-idable thereon and adapted to turn therewith. The crank- 6 is connected as in Fig. 1 with a connecting rod 7" and swinging lever 8 mounted on a pivot 9" and having a sliding block 10 connected by a link 13 to adjusting gear 14 the sliding block 10 driving the connecting rod 11 which in this case is directly coupled to the pivoted lever 20 for reciprocating the feed spindle 21. In this case the crank shaft 5* is supported by the housing 22 of the feed mechanism together with the links and adjusting gear so that the whole mechanism reciprocates on the longi tudinal shaft 27.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 5 the pivoted lever 20 instead of being directly connected to the feed spindle 21 is connected to the piston rod 30 of a piston 31 reciprocating in a cylinder 32. The feed spindle 21 is likewise connected to a piston 33 reciprocating within the cylinder 32.

During the return movement of the piston 31 in the direction of the arrow A, a partial vacuum is created in the space between the pistons and the atmospheric pressure through the inlet 34 causes the piston 33 to recede. As soon as the piston 31 has completed its return movement, air may be allowed to enter through an inlet orifice 35 and by the subsequent return movement of the piston 31 in the direction of the arrow B, the air enclosed between the pistons will be compressed and gradually bring the piston 33 to restand thereupon return it in the direction of the, arrow B. In the meantime the air entering the space at theback of the piston 33 through the inlet 34 may be prevented from escape by valvemechanism of any suitable type so that the air therein is com-- pressed to such anextent as to finally prevent the further forward movement of the piston 33 in thedirection of the arrow B and assist its return movement on the return stroke of the piston 31.

In order that the change of motion may take place at the required moment corresponding to the rolling operation, the air or fluid enteringthe space at the back of the piston 33 must be suitably controlled. The compressed air enclosed between the pistons will escape through the outlet 35 when the piston 31 has completed or almost completed its return stroke in the direction' of the ar row A.

By inserting the fluid pressure cylinder between the feed spindle and the reciprocating and 10 the feed spindle 21 is connectedto a piston 36 working within a cylinder 37 and having a pistonrod 38 which also enables the feed spindle 21 to be revolved.

Itwill be understood that the cylinder 37' and feed spindle 21 are gradually fed forward in the usual manner towards the rolls 1 as for example by means of the rack and pinion mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. .The rolls are adapted to drive a gear wheel '24 having a threaded portion which is valves 46, 47 and 48, the pipe 45 communi-- cating directly with the valve 46 whilst the pipe 44 has branches 49 and 50, the branch 49 leading to the valve 47 and the branch 50 leading through a non-return valve 51 to the valve 48, the valve 51 being adapted to open only towards the pipe 50. The cylinder 37 may also be fitted with safety valves, 52.

One form of the valves 46, 47 and 48 is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the valves being simultaneously operated by a common link 53 and hand lever 54.

The compressor 42 is provided with return channels 55 connecting the cylinder head with the interior of the cylinder so that at the end of each stroke the fluid compressed by the piston 42 will return to the low pressure space behind the piston. Adjustable induction valves 56 may be provided on the compressor 43 in order to admit of the entry of air or other fluid as required.

Instead of the induction valves 56 illustrated in Fig. 6, the piston rod of the piston 42 as illustrated in Fig. 11 may be formed with passages 57 and orifices 58 establishing intermittent. communication between the interior of the cylinder and the atmosphere.

In order to enable the working operation of the compressor piston 42 to be adjusted in r'elationto the rolls 1, the crank 40 is adjustable by varying the position of the nut 24 axiallyon the quick thread screw shaft 39 (Fig. 7) for which purpose the driving pinion is made of suficient length to enable the gear wheel 24 to traverse along the same. The ear wheel 24 may be adjusted by means 0 an adjusting spindle 59 and hand lever 60. v

As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 the fluid ath is so controlled that in the position inicated in Fig. 8, air is admitted from both sides of the compressor piston 42 eriodically to both sides of the feed cylin er piston 36, the fluid passing through the pipe 45 and valve 46 direct to the cylinder 37 and passing through the pipe 44 and branch 49 to the valve 47 .and from thence through the channel 61 in the cylinder wallto the valve 48 and from thence tothe cylinder,- the branch 50 being closed by the return valve 51.

When the valves are turned into the position illustrated in Fig. 9, the pipe 45 is still connected to the cylinder through .the valve 46 but the branch 49 is cut ofl" from the channel 61 by the valve 47 and the valve 48 establishes communication through the return valve 51 between the cylinder and the branch 50, communication however only takes place when the compressor piston 42 induces a low pressure in the pipe 44, that is to say when the piston 42 is travelling towards the end position illustrated in Fig. 6. 0n the return movement of the compressor piston 42, the fluid compressed by Lemma in Fig. 9 compressed air cannot reach oneside of the piston 36 but is supplied wholly to the other side thereof so that in this position the feed spindle 21? will be held in the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

lit will thus be seen that by adjusting the valves 46, 47 and 48 the feed spindle may be retained in either of its end positions and thus the removal of the finished tube and the insertion of a new billet may be effected without stopping the drive for the rolls.

Moreover by adopting intermediate positions of the valves 46, 47 and 48 by corresponding adjustment of the hand lever54 (Fig. 6) the branch 49 may be brought into partial communication with both channels 61 and 62 and according to the lever 54, the partial or throttled communication through the channels 61 and 62 will vary. In any case only part of the air compressed at the lefthand side of the compressor piston 42 will reach the left hand side of the piston 86, the remainder of the compressed air being supplied to the right hand side of the piston 36. At the same .time the air compressed at the right hand side of the compressor piston 42 will be uniformly and regularly supplied to the right hand side of the piston 36. The pressure on the rear side of the piston 36 will thus constantly move the feed spindle 21 towards its forward end position whilst the rear end position of the feed spindle and piston 36 will depend upon the pressure supplied to both sides of the piston andmay be varied accordin to the length of material rolled over during each operation of the rolls.

lit will of course be understood that the valve ear illustrated may be replaced by any ot er suitable form of valve mechanism and that by this mechanism the rolls may be caused to grip the correct quantity of material during each operationand thus en-- sure eflicient rolling,

Claims:

1. In step-by-step rolling mills, a feed the position of v spindle, mechanism for reciprocating said spindle 1n synchronization with the rolling operation, a crank driven from the roll driving pinions, quick thread spindle on which said crank is mounted, a nut threaded. on said spindle and means for driving said nut from the roll driving pinions.

2. A rolling mill as specified in claim 1 having means wherebythe teed spindle is movable relatively to the reciprocating.

mechanism for feeding or withdrawingthe work.

3. A. rolling mill as specified in claim 1 having a feed spindle housing and in which said housing and reciprocatlng mechanism are slidable upon a shaft forming part of the reciprocating mechanism.

4. A rolling mill as specified in claim 1 having a fluid pressure controlling device interposed between the reciprocating mechanism and the feed spindle.

5. A rolling mill comprising a feed spindle,

10 a fluid pressure cylinder,'a piston therein connected to said spindle, mechanism driven from the rolls for generating compressed on both sides of said piston so that the stroke of the piston towards the rear from its extreme forward position may be varied or the piston held stationary in its extreme forward position.

WENZEL FELLER. 

